Thanksgiving: Be Grateful

"I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet" -an Indian proverb

source

Each day I wake up with a spirit of gratitude because I know someone else woke up with tears of sorrow.   Be content in all you have....there is someone praying right now to be in your shoes.  Everything you possibly need, you already have!!  Just fill your heart with sincere gratitude and I can attest a grateful heart will open the doors for more blessings to flow.   Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Giveaway:Win a Gold Coast Necklace by PeaceImages

A few days ago, while doing some cyber window shopping on PeaceImages, I became inspired to do a Holiday giveaway.  I bought two Gold Coast Necklaces (seen below)...one for my sister (surprise sis!) and the other for one special reader.  (Fellas you should enter too...its one less gift you have to buy this Christmas).  Now some of you may not be familiar with Peace Images Jewelry....so check out her online store here.  These exquisite pieces speak for themselves and are definitely not for the meek at heart.  I purchased the Fandango earrings last month and they are definitely a statement piece!

How To Enter:
Its very simple....just complete the Rafflecopter form below!  You can submit as many entries as you like to increase your chances of winning.  All entries will be verified and any fabrications will be deleted.  The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Christmas day.  Best wishes to all!!

Valued at $40
See description here

Zara's Plaited Shopper: A Staple Handbag for the Winter

This evening while watching "Reed Between The Lines," I found my eyes hooked on the handbag Tracee Ellis Ross was wearing.  Once I saw this bag, I knew "we" had met before!  During one of my many cyber window shopping escapades, I spotted this bag and knew it was a winter must-have.  Check it out ladies at Zara. It comes in various colors. This bag is timeless and its definitely on my Christmas list! 

Nigerian Designers Revealed: Folake Folarin-Coker

Folake Folarin-Coker is the creative mind behind Tiffany Amber based in Lagos, Nigeria.   She has been stamping her footprints in the fashion world for the last 13 years.  I was checking out her S/S 2012 line from London Fashion Week and it is fabulous! Check out photos from the show here. Her designs are bold, yet very light and feminine.  I love the versatility in the fabrics.  She actually made velvet look appealing to me.  Check out her Autumn/Winter 2011 line below.

images from the fancy hub

Bon Appetit: Cajun Crab Cakes

Tonight I prepared crab cakes for dinner with a side of veggies and it was de-lish!!!  Very flavorful and if you like spicy foods, then you'll love this recipe.  I've made a few changes to the original recipe to give it a little more kick.  If you don't like your food too spicy, then scale back on the pepper or eliminate the Habanero pepper altogether.

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 green onion, chopped
• 1/2 of one Habanero pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 16 oz can of canned crabmeat, drained (no imitation)
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoon mayo
• 2 teaspoon horseradish mustard
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 8 oz buttery round crackers, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• a pinch or two of Old Bay Seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of regular dry bread crumbs

Directions:

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Saute green onions and Habanero pepper together until soft.    Allow to cool, then pick out Habanero pepper and throw away.  

Combine crabmeat, sautéed green onions, egg, mayo, dry mustard, horseradish mustard, crushed crackers, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, salt and pepper into a large bowl, then mix very well.   Form into 1/2 inch thick patties and coat the patties with bread crumbs

Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Cook cakes until golden brown on each side. Drain excess oil on paper towel.  Serve hot with a side of veggies and ....Bon Appetit!!  

Crab Cakes for days!!

Very meaty and full of flavor!!! Yummy....Now time for bed

GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!

Guess what today is???!!! ( I'll give you two seconds to guess.....1......2).......Okay, do you give up?!?! Well today marks my thirty day anniversary of blogging!! Whoohoo, yes!!!!! I made it a complete thirty days.  I thought this was going to be a one week venture, but it lasted a LOT longer than I thought. To commemorate this day,  I decided to have a contest. The prize is a $25 gift certificate for Carol's Daughter.  This will be mailed to the lucky winner on Tuesday November 15th.

The first one to email me the answers to the following questions...WINS!! Email me @ alongmodavenue@gmail.com.  ALL answers are found on my blog...good luck :)

1.) When did I first launch my blog? (easy question, I know!)
2.) Who is the couture designer that designed Halle Berry's gown for the 2002 Academy Awards?
3.)  Name one of the two water-based moisturizers I use primarily during the winter.
4.)  What is the name of the London-based shoe designer who created Finsk?
5.)  Who wrote the excerpt "Let It Go"?
6.)  Fill in the blank  ________+__________=Hair Growth! (two answers)
7.)  Who sung the duet "Til The End of Time" with Timothy Bloom?
8.)  Eric Roberson's video to the song "Still" was in honor of what disease that affects many women?

Check back later.  The winner will be announced on this post!

Thanks so much to all who have visited my blog and for all your positive feedback!

ADDENDUM: WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! A big CONGRATS to Chyami!  She is the winner of this contest for a Carol's Daughter gift card.  Thanks to all who entered.  Look out for more contests in the future!

Vintage Point: A Quick Protective Hairstyle

A lot of my up-dos are inspired by hairstyles from the 1940's.   Here is a quick pictorial of a vintage protective style that only takes minutes!

Eric Roberson: Mister Nice Guy

If you have an appreciation for delicately-crafted soul music, then you will love independent artist, Eric Roberson aka ERRO! He always delivers great music and I cant wait to listen to his new album, "Mister Nice Guy", I just purchased five minutes ago.  I've never been disappointed in any of his eight albums.  "Still", a single from his last album, was Grammy-nominated and you will absolutely see why after checking out this video.  Please support this musical genius!

Opera Gloves: A Fashion Comeback!

Opera gloves have been making a fashion comeback in recent years.  I love this vintage accessory which was adorn by many women and represented a high level of class and elegance in the 17th century.   Yesterday, I ordered my first pair of black leather opera gloves and I can't wait to rock them with a 3/4 sleeve blazer or coat this winter!

Big Hair Don't Care: A Braid Out Tutorial

Braid outs are my go to hairstyle when I want to keep it wild and funky.  It fits my personality and I totally love the untamed look.  Im not an hair expert by no means.  However over the last three years, I have found some things that work and don't work for my hair.  Here is how i do my braid outs.  I like to keep it pretty simple so let me know if you have any questions.

6 day old twist/braid out

Materials

• small spray bottle with water
• Shea butter based moisturizer such as Jane Carter's Nourish and Shine. If on a budget (like me) use Shea butter mixed with a little jojoba oil.  It works just as well!
• Stain Scarf
• Hair clamps (optional)

Directions

1. Make sure your hair is washed and well conditioned.  It may not turn out nice on hair that hasn't been washed in over a week.  Also hair should be well detangled and smooth (no knots).
2. Decide if you want a side part or middle part.  Then, section hair into 8-10 parts (use hair clamps if it helps).
3. Start with one section and dampen with water using your spray bottle.  Hair should not be dripping wet, just damp.
4. Then apply a dime-sized amount of a shea-butter based moisturizer.  If using shea butter, then blend about a dime-sized amount of shea butter and a drop of Jojoba oil with the palm of your hands.  (Shea butter really helps to give weight to your hair so that it can hang down)
5. Smooth onto section of hair.
6. Braid hair.  While  braiding if you find that you run out of hair from one of the three parts before completing braid, then just borrow some hair from the one of the other parts...(hope that makes sense :/ )
7. Continue the same process with all sections and then tie hair up with scarf.
8. In the morning, take a drop of grapeseed or jojoba oil onto palm of hands and unbraid hair.  The oil helps reduce frizz.  Make sure your hair is at least 95% dry or it will loose the pattern.  
9. Take your hands and run it through scalp to ensure that parts aren't showing.  Try not to disturb the hair pattern itself.
10. Keep in mind that braid outs become more untamed looking as the days  go along.  I usually rebraid my hair each night but use larger sections (about 4) in order to stretch it out more.   In the following pics, I was a bit lazy and didn't rebraid so it was a little dry, but I loved it all the same.  I definitely wouldn't go two nights without braiding (or twisting).
11. Rock your braid out with a fly outfit and you're ready to go!! Enjoy.

ILOVEMYHAIR.COM

This evening while I was on my way out the door, I was quickly distracted when I saw a package sent from my lovely sister. There's almost nothing better than opening your front door to find a package just for you.....even if you sent it to yourself, lol.  It just makes you feel so warm and fuzzy inside. Anyways, I opened the package to find this BEAUTIFUL artwork created by Andrea Pippins (check out her bio here).

My sister introduced me to her artwork last year and I never got around to making any purchases.  I absolutely love the simplicity of the design and the vivid color scheme incorporated with African print .  Of course, the hairstyle speaks volume and serves as the focal point of the design. It is reminiscent of natural hairstyles from the past and present.  Check out her online shop at www.ilovemyhair.com .